Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Help! I screwed up again with backing!!! >
  • Help! I screwed up again with backing!!!

  • Help! I screwed up again with backing!!!

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 06-09-2013, 02:04 PM
      #11  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2008
    Location: Van. Island, BC
    Posts: 1,420
    Smile

    Originally Posted by Jan in VA
    Here are some graphics of ways I extend the width/length of 45" wide fabric when i'm doing backings.
    I always allow enough fabric to match the top, then add at least 4-8" more (depends on how big it will finish) to that size to allow for "take up" during the quilting.

    The inner gray lines represent the pieced top the pieced top. The outer lines are the edges of the pieced backing.

    Jan in VA
    Thank you Jan for the graphics. They are so help
    true4uca is offline  
    Old 06-09-2013, 02:28 PM
      #12  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2009
    Posts: 15,639
    Default

    Originally Posted by quiltsRfun
    I make diagrams and figure mathematically whether lengthwise or crosswise will work best.
    Me too. Recently, I've started using a little back art - or at least I try to use up some of the left-over blocks and assorted fabrics from the projects to supplement the planned backing fabric. Then it doesn't look like I messed up should I miscalculate and have to add more.
    MadQuilter is offline  
    Old 06-09-2013, 02:43 PM
      #13  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Southern California
    Posts: 19,127
    Default

    I place the quilt top on my design wall then begin to place the backing on top remembering to leavie enough for a longarm quilter. I too have made mistakes and here is my most recent one. I had two extras fabric squares left over so I attached a border around each one (they are NEVER printed square) to sew into the backing. But on the background piece that is below and above the block, I was short over an inch!! So I just insert a long red strip that is going down on the left block and going up on the right block. Thank goodness that problem was resolved. It probably looks a little bit more interesting than what I had originally planned. So don't EVER feel like you are the ONLY one making mistakes !!! Hang in there!!! Hopefully there will always be an easy fix for any error.
    Attached Thumbnails motorcycle-snowman-backing.jpg  
    ManiacQuilter2 is offline  
    Old 06-09-2013, 04:20 PM
      #14  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2012
    Location: San Joaquin Valley, California
    Posts: 829
    Default

    I fold the top in half vertically and measure on a tape that is taped to a table. If it is 48" X 2 = 96in add extra 6inches so the vertical measurement is 102"

    I do the same horizontally. Lets say that the end measurement is 86" I do not measure the backing to the top
    After I have found the measurements I will be sure that the backing measures the 102" x 86"

    I always measure to an affixed tape. I worked at a quilt store and that is how we would figure out the amount of fabric to buy.
    mamagrande is offline  
    Old 06-09-2013, 04:31 PM
      #15  
    Super Member
     
    Emma S's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2010
    Location: Roseburg, OR
    Posts: 2,976
    Default

    Jan thank you for your graphics. Love the tech era we live in.
    Maniac: Love your fix. So much more interesting than it would have been without the "mistake".
    This is highly untechnical but I just measure the widest width and length than add and an extra 6 to 8 inches. Remember anything that is left over goes in the scrap heap and is not really wasted.
    Emma S is offline  
    Old 06-10-2013, 02:52 AM
      #16  
    Junior Member
     
    Hartllk's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Nov 2012
    Location: Alcoa, Tennessee
    Posts: 116
    Default

    There is a free craftsy class called "Creative Quilt Backs" with Elizabeth Hartman. She does a VERY mathematical and graphical method for calculating quilt backs. She also shows some neat backs using pieced fabrics, etc. Worth taking the time to watch, just for the assistance in planning your back.
    Hartllk is offline  
    Old 06-10-2013, 03:05 AM
      #17  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2012
    Location: Maryland
    Posts: 539
    Default

    Jan in VA, as always, I so appreciate your graphic pictures. It's just so much easier to understand a concept when it's drawn out.

    Puttergeo, Check out some of the backs that Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville purposely puts on her quilts. Pieced, pieced, pieced. One would never be able to detect a "mistake".
    Nilla is offline  
    Old 06-10-2013, 03:37 AM
      #18  
    Super Member
     
    katesnanna's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Brisbane, Australia
    Posts: 3,453
    Default

    Jan in Va - Thank you for the graphics. I save all your helpful posts.
    A friend who sewed professionally taught me to work out how much extra I need across the quilt and cut twice that much extra on the length. Then cut that in two across the width, join the short sides then turn sideways and attach to the side. I've done this a couple of times and it does work.
    katesnanna is offline  
    Old 06-10-2013, 03:49 AM
      #19  
    Super Member
     
    ArtsyOne's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2011
    Location: Canadian in Minnesota
    Posts: 3,078
    Default

    I posted a tutorial a while back when I had the same problem. What I did was to lay the backing exactly diagnonal, which leaves some large triangles where it overlaps the front of the quilt. Cut off those triangles from the backing and move them to the places where the quilt doesn't have backing over it. I'd post a photo, but unfortunately I'm at work!
    ArtsyOne is offline  
    Old 06-10-2013, 03:54 AM
      #20  
    Super Member
     
    quiltinghere's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: PROFESSIONAL Longarm Quilter NW Indiana
    Posts: 3,398
    Default

    Thanks JAN for the graphics -
    I prefer to make my backs in the "style" of the top left and the three on the bottom because they look like they have been 'planned' and not "ooopsie - I ran out of fabric and just sewed on some more to make the back big enough".

    There have been times when I've received donation quilts to quilt, that I've actually taken the backs apart to make them look "planned" instead of "oopsie". Donation quilts should look great too!

    MANIACQUILTER - that's an awesome back! That's the kind of back that will gather an 'wow' when people see it. NEVER mention to the recipient the error that got you to the awesome back! Hahahaha! Let them think you 'planned' it that way! You talented girl you!

    I do the "mathematical and graphical method for calculating quilt backs"....no sense in tossing around extra fabric or tops if I don't have to. No getting on the floor here.

    I will be making two creative backs this week and will post pictures....if I remember! Hahahaha!

    Nan

    Last edited by quiltinghere; 06-10-2013 at 04:00 AM.
    quiltinghere is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    ScubaK
    Main
    27
    08-21-2014 03:16 PM
    dinlauren
    Main
    81
    06-30-2011 08:42 PM
    LoriEl
    Pictures
    79
    04-23-2011 08:16 PM
    sandpat
    Pictures
    47
    02-25-2008 04:55 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter